Tips & Resources
Vietnam eSIM for Tourists: Complete A-to-Z Guide to Buy and Activate
About 8 minutes to read
Vietnam eSIM for tourists: the short answer
An eSIM lets your phone connect to a mobile network without a plastic SIM card. For a trip to Vietnam you have two main routes: a Vietnamese carrier eSIM from Viettel, VinaPhone or MobiFone, registered to your passport like any local SIM, or an international travel eSIM that you buy online, usually before you fly, which connects to a local network as a partner. Both can work well. The right one depends on whether you need a Vietnamese phone number, how long you are staying and whether you want to be connected the moment you land.
eSIM is not new in Vietnam: Viettel began providing it and VinaPhone opened pre-orders in early 2019. What matters for you is that your phone supports eSIM, that it is unlocked, and that you install and set it up correctly. This guide covers all three, without listing prices or naming “best” providers, because packages and offers change often. For the networks themselves, see our Viettel vs VinaPhone vs MobiFone comparison.
What an eSIM is, in practical terms
An eSIM is a SIM built into the phone. Instead of inserting a card, you download a mobile plan, usually by scanning a QR code or through an app. Most eSIM phones can store several plans and use one or two at a time, so you can keep your home number active for calls and texts while a Vietnamese plan handles data.
What eSIM does not change is the network you end up on. A carrier eSIM from Viettel uses Viettel’s network; a travel eSIM uses whichever local network its provider has an agreement with. Signal on your route depends on that network, not on whether the SIM is physical or digital.
Step 1: check that your phone can use an eSIM
- Does the model support eSIM? Check the manufacturer’s specifications for your exact model and region. Some models sold in certain countries do not support eSIM even when the same model elsewhere does.
- Is the phone unlocked? A phone locked to your home carrier will refuse plans from other providers. Ask your carrier before you travel.
- Can you find an EID? On many phones that support eSIM, an EID number appears in the phone’s “About” settings or when you dial *#06#. If there is no EID, the phone probably does not support eSIM.
If your phone fails any of these checks, a physical SIM is the simpler option; our guide to buying a SIM at the airport or in city shops covers that route.
Route 1: a Vietnamese carrier eSIM
Vietnamese networks have offered eSIM since 2019, when Viettel began providing it and VinaPhone opened pre-orders. Ask an official store of the network you choose whether eSIM is available for your phone model. Like a physical SIM, a carrier eSIM is a Vietnamese subscription and must be registered to the user. Under Decree 163/2024/NĐ-CP, a foreign national registers with a passport valid for their stay in Vietnam, or an electronic identification account where permitted. In practice, the simplest way to get one is at an official store of the network, with your passport and your unlocked phone.
Advantages
- A Vietnamese phone number. Useful for calling rental shops, hotels and delivery drivers, and for services that ask for a local number.
- Local packages and top-ups. You choose from the network’s current packages and renew them like any local subscriber.
- Help in person. Store staff can install the eSIM and test it before you leave.
Trade-offs
- Not connected on arrival. You need to reach a store first, so plan the first few hours with Wi-Fi and offline maps.
- Registration steps. Staff will complete the registration and whatever verification their system requires. The rules were tightened in 2026 by Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN; public reports describe the steps for Vietnamese citizens, so follow what the official store asks of you.
Route 2: an international travel eSIM
Travel eSIMs are sold online by companies outside the Vietnamese networks. You buy a plan for a country or region, install it before departure and switch it on when you land.
Advantages
- Data from the moment you land. Useful if you need maps or a ride-hailing app at the airport.
- Set up at home. You can install it on your own Wi-Fi, without a counter or a language barrier.
- Keep your home number. Your physical SIM stays in the phone for calls and texts.
Trade-offs and questions to ask
- Many plans are data-only. Check whether you get a Vietnamese phone number. If not, people in Vietnam cannot call you locally.
- Which local network does it use? The provider should say which Vietnamese network or networks the plan connects to. This decides your coverage on the road.
- Does it include 5G? Some plans offer 4G only. Our 4G and 5G data guide explains when 5G works in Vietnam.
- Is hotspot allowed, and what happens after the allowance? Read the plan terms before paying.
- Who handles problems? Support comes from the provider, not from Vietnamese stores. Check how to reach them.
Comparing the options
| Question | Carrier eSIM (in Vietnam) | Travel eSIM (bought online) | Physical local SIM | Home roaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connected on arrival | No, after a store visit | Yes, if installed beforehand | Yes, if an airport counter is open | Yes, if roaming is enabled |
| Vietnamese phone number | Yes | Often not | Yes | No |
| Passport registration in Vietnam | Yes | Check the provider’s terms | Yes | No |
| Phone must support eSIM | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Help in person | Network stores | Provider’s online support | Network stores | Your home carrier |
| Cost | Compare the current total price and terms for your length of stay | |||
Step 2: install and activate
The exact menus differ between phone makers and software versions, but the process follows the same pattern.
Before you leave home (travel eSIM)
- Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- Open the QR code or the provider’s app on another screen, or follow the in-app installation.
- In your phone’s mobile or cellular settings, choose to add an eSIM and scan the code.
- Give the new line a clear name, such as “Vietnam data”, so you do not confuse it with your home line.
- Leave the new line switched off until you arrive if the provider says the plan starts on first connection.
When you land
- Switch on the Vietnam line and set it as the line for mobile data.
- Follow the provider’s instructions on data roaming for that line. Many travel eSIMs connect as roaming profiles and need data roaming switched on for that line only.
- If you want to avoid roaming charges on your home number, turn off data roaming for the home line, or switch the home line’s data off completely.
- Switch Wi-Fi off and load a web page to confirm the connection.
At a Vietnamese store (carrier eSIM)
Bring your passport and your unlocked phone. Staff register the subscription, then give you a QR code or install the eSIM for you. Before leaving, check that you can make a call, send a message and load a page with Wi-Fi off, and ask how to top up and renew.
Common eSIM problems and fixes
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| QR code will not scan | Check the phone is unlocked and eSIM-capable; enter the details manually if the provider supplies them |
| Line installed but no data | Make sure the Vietnam line is selected for mobile data and that data roaming is set as the provider instructs |
| Signal but pages will not load | Restart the phone; check the plan is active and not used up |
| No signal in one area | Try another spot; coverage depends on the local network the plan uses |
| Home bill shows roaming charges | Turn off data roaming or mobile data for the home line |
One rule avoids most frustration: do not delete an eSIM to “fix” it unless the provider or store tells you to. Many eSIM QR codes can be installed only once, and a deleted plan may need a new code from the provider.
eSIM and your rental motorbike
- Give the shop a number that works. If your travel eSIM is data-only, the shop cannot call you on a Vietnamese number. Agree on a messaging app instead; our guide on which phone number to give a rental shop compares the options.
- Keep a backup. Download offline maps before riding outside Hanoi. If you rely on one plan and lose signal, offline maps still work.
- Set the route before riding. Pull over safely to check the phone; do not handle it while riding.
Frequently asked questions
Is eSIM available in Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnamese networks have offered eSIM since 2019, and international travel eSIMs also cover Vietnam. You need a phone that supports eSIM and is unlocked.
Do I need a passport for an eSIM in Vietnam?
For a Vietnamese carrier eSIM, yes: it is a local subscription registered under Decree 163/2024/NĐ-CP with a passport valid for your stay, or an electronic identification account where permitted. For a travel eSIM bought online, follow the provider’s own terms.
Will a travel eSIM give me a Vietnamese number?
Often not; many plans are data-only. Check the plan description. If you need to receive local calls, a carrier eSIM or physical SIM is the surer choice.
Can I use an eSIM and my home SIM at the same time?
Most eSIM phones can keep two lines active, typically one for calls and texts and one for data. Check your phone’s dual-SIM settings so data uses the Vietnam line.
Which eSIM provider is best for Vietnam?
There is no single best one. Compare which local network the plan uses, the data allowance and validity, whether it includes a local number, whether 5G and hotspot are allowed, and how support works. Then choose the plan that matches your route and length of stay.
What if my phone does not support eSIM?
Use a physical Vietnamese SIM. It works in any unlocked phone and is sold at airports and in city stores.
Ask the shop
Thuê xe máy Nguyễn Hà is at Ngõ 5 Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Bồ Đề, Long Biên, Hanoi (near Gia Lam bus station), open 09:00–21:00 daily. Call or message 0334 699 969 (Zalo/WhatsApp) to book, and tell the shop which number or app to use to reach you.
Sources checked
- Saigon Giải Phóng, Viettel and VinaPhone begin providing eSIM, February 2019: sggp.org.vn
- Cần Thơ legal-information portal, documents for registering a mobile subscription under Decree 163/2024/NĐ-CP: pbgdpl.cantho.gov.vn
- Luật sư Việt Nam, Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN on verifying subscriber information: lsvn.vn
- People’s Army Newspaper (VNA), Vietnam accelerates 5G commercialisation: en.qdnd.vn
